Wisdom of the Saints about humility (part 9)

“The more humble a person is, the more receptive and full he becomes.  Hills repel water; valleys are filled up.” St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church)

“Knowledge of ourselves gives birth to profound humility.” St. Catherine of Siena (14th-15th centuries, Doctor of the Church)

“Of all the virtues of the Virgin [Mary], the most admirable is her great humility; it is a virtue of which we our-selves have great need.” St. Alphonsus de Orozco (16th century)

“Genuine humility does not produce inward turmoil, nor does it cause unrest in the soul, or bring it darkness or aridity; on the contrary, it cheers it and produces in it the opposite effects – quietness, sweetness and light.  Though it causes us distress [to behold our own wretchedness] we are comforted to see what a great favor God is granting us by sending us that distress and how well the soul is occupied.  Grieved as it is at having offended God, it is also encouraged by His mercy.” St. Teresa of Avila (16th century, Doctor of the Church)

“What do you esteem yourself before God?  Doubtless nothing.  It is no great humility in a fly to esteem herself nothing in comparison to a mountain; nor for a drop of water to hold itself for nothing in comparison to the sea; nor for a spark of fire to hold itself nothing in respect to the sun; but humility consists in not desiring to be so esteemed by others.  How are you disposed in this respect?” St. Francis de Sales (16th-17th centuries, Doctor of the Church)

"Let us not deceive ourselves. If we do not have humility, we have nothing." St. Vincent de Paul (16th-17th centuries)

"Remember that God prefers the poverty of our hearts to the most sublime thoughts borrowed from others."  St. Peter Julian Eymard (19th century)

"It is proper to divine love to lower itself; hence, the lower we are, the more we attract God." St. Therese of Lisieux (19th century, Doctor of the Church)

“Science my son, for all its greatness is nevertheless a small thing; and less than nothing compared to the formidable mystery of the Divinity. You must take another road. Cleanse your heart of every earthly passion, humble yourself in the dust and pray! In this way you will certainly find God, who will give you peace and serenity in this life and eternal beatitude in the next.”  St. Pio of Pietrelcina (19th-20th centuries)

“When we begin to use Christ as our measuring stick, we begin, for the first time, to see our lives as the inadequate things they are.  A picture in a poor light may seem perfect; a strong light will bring out its defects.  Standing in our own shadow, we used to appear good to ourselves; but as we bring ourselves nearer to the Light of God, revealed in Christ, His Divine Son, we see how much we have failed to be all that creatures ought to be, and thereby we discover the true secret of our unhappiness.” Ven. Fulton Sheen (19th-20th centuries)